The Sound Of 2012 - Andy's List

....emmm that's not the list I was meant to post is it....shall we just pretend this never happened? Good, I think it's for the best!!

It's an easy mistake to make really, I mean who doesn't love a good list or ten; after all the ability to procrastinate is what separates us from the diligent and successful, and who'd want to be one of them - not me sir!!

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Anyhow, as you'll have gathered from the not at all fiendishly vague tagline up above, the actual list we're here to critique is a countdown of the 25 best musical compositions 2012 had to offer, as selected by the good taste guide that is yours truly. Long term Sound Of Confusion stoics will already be sickeningly familiar with this annual arrangement, but for the newbies amongst us all you need to know is that today you get to gorge on my chosen tunes. As ever I've applied merely a single rule to my culling process, which is that only one track is permitted per artist. Easy peasy? Then let's get it on!

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THE LIST

1) Field Mouse - You Guys Are Gonna Wake Up My Mom

Ok so they use 'mom' instead of 'mum' or 'mam', tut tut tut, but we'll forgive Field Mouse that dreadful aberration, partly due to their American roots, but mainly because they write such scintillating tunes. Pipping their other releases to the number one crown is this brilliant surge of shoegaze-pop ('Shop' anybody?) that's like a woozy waterfall of melody and magic. A worthy winner.You Guys Are Gonna Wake Up My Mom by Field MouseField Mouse's websiteBuy the single2) Tennis - My Better Self

Seafaring was sidelined for soul stomping when Alaina Moore offered up hints of Dusty Springfield as her becalmed vocal wandered an absent minded path amongst crisp snares and piano.

Taking his lead from the title, Keenan Mitchell does indeed sound thoroughly sick with, and devoid of, the brighter things in life, but his anguished yelps and moans only enhance the mood as a persistent drum roll and grinding guitar lick team up to close in and crush him even further - great!Sunsick by Fort LeanFort Lean's websiteBuy the single4) Internet Forever - 3D

Back in February I described this as "'Tomorrow Never Knows' with muscles" - I see no reason to change that diagnosis. Brief but bursting with big beat energy.3D by Internet ForeverInternet Forever's website

Last year's top spot holders are back again. Can I let them in on the secret recipe please gents? A)source shimmering dreampop, B)stick 'Teen' in the title - Voila you make the list! P.S. I dare anyone not to sing along to the 'Pa ah ah ah ah ah ah'.teen dream by the bilinda butchersThe Bilinda Butchers' websiteDownload the EP6) Splashh - Need It

Right then, I want you to imagine taking BRMC and schooling them in grunge before then handing them over to The Delays to undergo a rainbow respray, OK? Too hard? Alright, just listen to this corker instead, it's much the same effect!

And if the above track wasn't enough psychedelic-rock fun for you then worry not because here's some more flown in from Australia. Unconfirmed reports suggest this is the exact sound you'll hear as you fall asleep on the beach while squinting at the sun. So uplifting it could sit you on the moon.

It's easy to forget there was a time when Britain brimmed with bands of aggressive intent rather than meekly flouncing to flimsy folk. Peace haven't forgotten the lineage though and deliver a crunching sing-along guitar anthem worth of any of their predecessors.

This track would merit a top ten spot purely off the back of the build up and breakdown section that leads into the Jimi does 'All Along The Watchtower' squalling riff. That the rest of the song is funky, fluid and fun simply seals the deal.

We've reached the end of our descending numerical journey so all that remains are the niceties. If you wish to pass judgement on my choices, or even better give us an idea of what might make your own end of year playlist, then please get in touch via the comments box below or through Facebook and Twitter where you'll find Kev manning the lines, or give me a shout direct on andy@thesoundofconfusion.co.uk

If you want to have a gander at last years list then you can do so using the link below, and with that tidied up all that remains to be said from me is thank you for reading and have a top notch Christmas and New Year.